What an amazing, informative article. You covered so much ground on this extremely complex subject: breast cancer. You both were brilliant and I thank you. You can probably break these topics up and have discussions on any one of these areas. But first and foremost you must remember WE are not drs. and after you have said those dreaded words “you have cancer” everything else that comes out of your mouth sounds like Woodstock on the Charlie Brown cartoons … wah, wah, wah. I think you can called it shock. So I can’t possibly imagine you saying “you’ve got time” when the person sitting there is thinking WTF? and then GET IT OUT OF ME. My gut feeling was get rid of both of them. But I was talked into a lumpectomy and breast reduction in the other breast. So I went that route only to be told my lump was larger than thought AND there was a “dusting” of cancer in the lower part of the breast. Again WTF? How can this be? She couldn’t explain the “dust “ except to say it was odd and it was rare. That did it. I chose for a double mastectomy, flat, and have regretted nothing. I’m happy in my decision. One thing that should be discussed by the doctor to the patient is the destruction that these cancer meds can cause to the body and that based on the stage one is in, it may not be necessary to take them and that if there is a recurrence, that can be dealt with at that time. Whew . . .
Ok, I'm a cancer genetic counselor and though this discussion was not about prophylactic options for gene carriers specifically, I really think that every cancer GC needs to listen to this. Really well thought out discussion and you are completely right: No, there is no one size fits all answer, but there is data to discuss/understand on a patient side and many psychosocial implications to understand on the provider side. And a side note: I had heard about the numbness after mastectomy/reconstruction and this may or may not play a big role for people in their final decision, but should definitely be brought up before that type of surgery is done. Thank you for posting this interview. I'd love to discuss this in the setting of genetic carriers with one of you on my own channel some day (first videos launch in April).
Really Informative! I'm approaching a year for being diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, stage one and stage zero. I've been wondering if I should've agreed to do a double mastectomy, but after listening to this interview, it seems as if my breast surgeon made the right decision.
I had a mastectomy around the time this video came out, so too late for me to question my surgeon, even if id seen it back then. My lump was shown to be large (63mm max) and i was told conservation surgery wouldn't leave me with good results. Pathology after showed cancer was only 35mm so now really struggling, mentally, with the mastectomy.
I had early stage bc in my left breast in an area that didn't make a lumpectomy possible. After reading everything I could find, I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy with a diep flap reconstruction. The surgeon didn't have to try "matching" one breast to the other. It was a long surgery and recovery, but I did it. I do not regret my choice. I wish the best for you.
As a woman who had two lumpectomies, with no recurrence for twenty years, and then another lump was found, if I could do it over, I would have gone the same route, but only be cause I was relatively young and married. I opted for a mastectomy thus time, because I am a widow, in my seventies and don t want to have radiation. I would advise, don't second guess yourself. Your reasons for your choice and the right choice for you. Also, taking a lump out around the nipple does change the sensation, and must be considered against the reality of cancer.
I've just come across your videos and they are so helpful. Was hoping you could give me some advice. I was diagnosed de novo in may of 2023. Mets to liver and lung. I've had a wonderful response to systemic therapy. All areas of metastasis have resolved. I am 53 and have no comorbitities. I have now had a new mass appear in the original breast on CT scan. I will be having a mammogram and ultrasound in the coming days. I'm fully aware that surgery on the breast is generally not done with stage 4. However I feel that if this new mass is cancerous I would want to discuss surgery with my oncologist. What are some questions I should ask? Again thank you for these very informative videos!
Hi, I had breast cancer 23yrs ago. I had bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. Two months ago I felt changes in my breast. I have granulomas , but these felt different. I had an appointment and had a scan done. The consultant told me it was okay and no sign of recurrence. That was good news, but when I went home I started to worry. When I first found my original lump it did not show any cancer on mammogram or ultrasound. It was only when they did a biopsy that they found I had cancer. Because of this I would like to have a biopsy. Do you think if I explained my worries to the consultant she would do. Biopsy for me ?
So we know having DMX does not eliminate the risk of future breast cancer. Knowing this, are you still happy you had both your breasts removed? Still facing a second third or fourth surgery.. would you have still taken the same path? I was told 1-2 percent benefit to removing breasts and didn’t. It’s not to bad, just only noticeable when naked and my older husband is not looking at the details.
Hi Dr Liz. You know that your education and inspiration touches me. But I've had two successful surgeries scar from my left nipple to my under my arm pit. But i was blessed negative estrogen receptors, negative all genetic and thank God negative lymph nodes. I start radiation Monday the 18th of March. I can start working out in two more weeks question ?? What do you recommend on lotions after radiation. Thanks again for your giving us extra from your friend. And my left nipple is sucked in from surgery will it pop back out ? Live you ❤
Here in the US we can opt for bilateral or single. It was completely up to me and insurance covered my bilateral mascetomy. I chose bilateral because I've had 4 aunts who had breast cancer. 2 of them only had one removed and ended up getting cancer in the other breast. I didn’t want to have to go through that again. I was also had triple D breast and I didn’t want to be lopsided. I am looking into reconstruction soon.
Reconstruction wasn't available at the time of mascetomy because all the plastic surgeons were backed up due to covid 19. I really want to have the diflap
My husband says he is fine with me flat and that I'm still beautiful to him. But I just don't feel feminine anymore. I never liked my big breast but I still want to look like my old self. I had a complete hysterectomy after my bilateral mascetomy because I didn’t want to worry about getting uterine cancer from estrogen blockers. Plus it removed the main source of estrogen. I just feel like everything that made me a woman has been removed.
![แฉกลโกงงานวัด 2024 [ โกงมั้ยครับ ep.106 ] | DOM](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/taC5dpP3HXA/mqdefault.jpg)
What an amazing, informative article. You covered so much ground on this extremely complex subject: breast cancer. You both were brilliant and I thank you. You can probably break these topics up and have discussions on any one of these areas.
But first and foremost you must remember WE are not drs. and after you have said those dreaded words “you have cancer” everything else that comes out of your mouth sounds like Woodstock on the Charlie Brown cartoons … wah, wah, wah. I think you can called it shock. So I can’t possibly imagine you saying “you’ve got time” when the person sitting there is thinking WTF? and then GET IT OUT OF ME.
My gut feeling was get rid of both of them. But I was talked into a lumpectomy and breast reduction in the other breast. So I went that route only to be told my lump was larger than thought AND there was a “dusting” of cancer in the lower part of the breast. Again WTF? How can this be? She couldn’t explain the “dust “ except to say it was odd and it was rare. That did it. I chose for a double mastectomy, flat, and have regretted nothing. I’m happy in my decision.
One thing that should be discussed by the doctor to the patient is the destruction that these cancer meds can cause to the body and that based on the stage one is in, it may not be necessary to take them and that if there is a recurrence, that can be dealt with at that time.
Whew . . .
Ok, I'm a cancer genetic counselor and though this discussion was not about prophylactic options for gene carriers specifically, I really think that every cancer GC needs to listen to this. Really well thought out discussion and you are completely right: No, there is no one size fits all answer, but there is data to discuss/understand on a patient side and many psychosocial implications to understand on the provider side. And a side note: I had heard about the numbness after mastectomy/reconstruction and this may or may not play a big role for people in their final decision, but should definitely be brought up before that type of surgery is done. Thank you for posting this interview. I'd love to discuss this in the setting of genetic carriers with one of you on my own channel some day (first videos launch in April).
Thank you for the feedback! More than happy to be included
Really Informative! I'm approaching a year for being diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, stage one and stage zero. I've been wondering if I should've agreed to do a double mastectomy, but after listening to this interview, it seems as if my breast surgeon made the right decision.
Brilliant, very informative and easily understood xxx
I had a mastectomy around the time this video came out, so too late for me to question my surgeon, even if id seen it back then. My lump was shown to be large (63mm max) and i was told conservation surgery wouldn't leave me with good results. Pathology after showed cancer was only 35mm so now really struggling, mentally, with the mastectomy.
I had early stage bc in my left breast in an area that didn't make a lumpectomy possible. After reading everything I could find, I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy with a diep flap reconstruction. The surgeon didn't have to try "matching" one breast to the other. It was a long surgery and recovery, but I did it. I do not regret my choice. I wish the best for you.
As a woman who had two lumpectomies, with no recurrence for twenty years, and then another lump was found, if I could do it over, I would have gone the same route, but only be cause I was relatively young and married.
I opted for a mastectomy thus time, because I am a widow, in my seventies and don t want to have radiation. I would advise, don't second guess yourself. Your reasons for your choice and the right choice for you.
Also, taking a lump out around the nipple does change the sensation, and must be considered against the reality of cancer.
I've just come across your videos and they are so helpful. Was hoping you could give me some advice. I was diagnosed de novo in may of 2023. Mets to liver and lung. I've had a wonderful response to systemic therapy. All areas of metastasis have resolved. I am 53 and have no comorbitities. I have now had a new mass appear in the original breast on CT scan. I will be having a mammogram and ultrasound in the coming days. I'm fully aware that surgery on the breast is generally not done with stage 4. However I feel that if this new mass is cancerous I would want to discuss surgery with my oncologist. What are some questions I should ask? Again thank you for these very informative videos!
a lot of surgeons do remove new cancers in the breast for stage 4 disease, esp if it's the only site of tumour
Thank you doctors!! 💜🙏
Hi, I had breast cancer 23yrs ago. I had bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. Two months ago I felt changes in my breast. I have granulomas , but these felt different. I had an appointment and had a scan done. The consultant told me it was okay and no sign of recurrence. That was good news, but when I went home I started to worry. When I first found my original lump it did not show any cancer on mammogram or ultrasound. It was only when they did a biopsy that they found I had cancer. Because of this I would like to have a biopsy. Do you think if I explained my worries to the consultant she would do. Biopsy for me ?
Yes. And if she says no, go to another doctor. We have to be our own advocates.
So we know having DMX does not eliminate the risk of future breast cancer. Knowing this, are you still happy you had both your breasts removed? Still facing a second third or fourth surgery.. would you have still taken the same path? I was told 1-2 percent benefit to removing breasts and didn’t. It’s not to bad, just only noticeable when naked and my older husband is not looking at the details.
Hi Dr Liz. You know that your education and inspiration touches me. But I've had two successful surgeries scar from my left nipple to my under my arm pit. But i was blessed negative estrogen receptors, negative all genetic and thank God negative lymph nodes. I start radiation Monday the 18th of March. I can start working out in two more weeks question ?? What do you recommend on lotions after radiation. Thanks again for your giving us extra from your friend. And my left nipple is sucked in from surgery will it pop back out ? Live you ❤
Thank you for this valuable information
Here in the US we can opt for bilateral or single. It was completely up to me and insurance covered my bilateral mascetomy. I chose bilateral because I've had 4 aunts who had breast cancer. 2 of them only had one removed and ended up getting cancer in the other breast. I didn’t want to have to go through that again. I was also had triple D breast and I didn’t want to be lopsided. I am looking into reconstruction soon.
We don’t like removing a healthy breast
here. Many women want it done because they think it will stop their cancer coming back. Which it can’t.
Reconstruction wasn't available at the time of mascetomy because all the plastic surgeons were backed up due to covid 19. I really want to have the diflap
I hope you can have one
My husband says he is fine with me flat and that I'm still beautiful to him. But I just don't feel feminine anymore. I never liked my big breast but I still want to look like my old self. I had a complete hysterectomy after my bilateral mascetomy because I didn’t want to worry about getting uterine cancer from estrogen blockers. Plus it removed the main source of estrogen. I just feel like everything that made me a woman has been removed.
It’s really hard isn’t it?
It really is